Hey all, here is my problem. I recently picked up a 350 motor (new rebuild) 4 bolt main,bored 30 over, new cast crank, 202 fuely heads, RV cam and more. The guy I got it from told me that the outside ear piece where the starter bolt threads into the block was broke. He told me it would only be about $75 bucks to fix it. I took his word and drove four hours to pick it up. I got home and started calling around and was told around $300 to fix it if at evenly possible. My question has this ever happened to anyone else and if so what was the best fix. One option I was told was to have a stud welded in the hole and then get a gear reduction starter with a narrower lip for the stud to slide in. Possible or bad idea? Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I had this happen to me with a 400...I never came up with a solution at the time and ended up swapping in a different motor. However, I did learn later that the early small blocks (like 55-?) had the starters mounted on a "plate":

Well I talked to a trusted machine shop. He was up front and told me that there was a 75% chance he could fix it. 3-4 hrs labor and probably a pound of nickel rod. Then drill and tap the threads. He'll know more when I get it to him. At least he is up front and honest about it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I was hoping it was a more common problem with an easy fix. I should have known with my luck there is no such thing.

Which part broke, most blocks are machined for 3 starter bolts, I am assuming the outside hole at the rear of the block?? Some bolt straight across the back, some bolt at about 45% from the flywheel. I think I have a starter with a cast iron nose on it that bolts at a 45, I always used them on my race cars.

The early 265 blocks had no starter provisions. The started bolted to the bellhsg. If you are running a stick, you could maybe use an early bellhsg, and starter set up. The 235 6 cyl, didn`t share the ame bolt pattern as the V-8s. I also think this bellhsg was used in the trucks, not sure what years, I may have 1 or 2.

Well I just got back from taking it to the machine shop. They did an awesome job on it. It looks like it came from the factory that way. It took half a pound of nickel rod and 3 hrs labor but it only cost $200. I told the owner of the shop it looked professionally done, he turned to me and said "It should, that's what we do". I am really happy with the end product. I will get the before and after pics up when I get them downloaded.